Reflection – how to take the best
Reflection.
It’s what we do.
The calendar turns to the last day in December and the clock creeps closer to Midnight…we reflect on the past year and what is to come.
Some may look back feeling completely fulfilled with what they accomplished. Others may run as fast as they can toward the end of the year trying to leave the past 365 days far behind.
Either way, a fresh start of a new year often gives us hope and anticipation about what changes we’ll make to improve our lives.
Next comes resolutions.
Resolutions – how to leave the rest
Those promises we make to ourselves at the first of every year. I remember reading an article that talked about the number of people at the gym the first week in January versus the first week in February. I’m sure you can see where this is going…
What can happen if we’re not careful is setting unrealistic goals. Words like “always” and “never” turn out to be curses that are unattainable and make us feel like failures.
I am always going to walk to work to save on gas.
I am never going to eat chocolate.
I am always going to wake up and go to the gym and never press snooze.
This all or nothing attitude sets us up for failure. What happens when you can’t walk to work because you break your foot? What happens when in a moment of weakness (we all have them) you take a bite of a candybar? What happens when you “accidently” push snooze and oversleep for one workout?
Let’s be honest…nothing.
One little slip up is not a deal-breaker. We all know it’s not the end of the world. But, if you’re anything like me, even a “little” misstep can lead to the end of my goals and dreams. If I’m not careful, my faulty thinking will tell me because I tripped up once, I might as well just throw in the towel.
what will you “take into” the new year?
I hate to say, I’ve struggled with that destructive attitude more than I care to admit. Just in time for a new round of goal-setting, I found the answer to my prayers. I saw a video that was talking about what to “take into” the new year. I had never heard it said that way. So refreshing! The best things in our lives we should “take into” the future with us. Those things that are weighing us down we must leave behind.
In my opinion, both sides of this coin are equally as important. If you take the right things into the new year, but also bring along a bunch of garbage, the right things will be tainted by the garbage. On the flip side, if you let go of the bad and don’t make the effort to bring forth the good, you can’t grow.
What is it that you need to take into the new year with you?
~Is is your long-lost love of playing an instrument?
~Is it a daily habit of prayer or reading your Bible?
~Is it the positive attitude you have and the love you show to others?
What is it that you need to leave behind?
~Is it an all-consuming habit like binging streaming television or scrolling social media?
~Is it self-doubt or self-hatred?
~Is it believing in the world and not trusting in God?
My list includes some of those and a host of others on both accounts. This list is by no means exhaustive. My strengths and struggles may not be the same as yours. I would encourage you to take a few minutes and even write down your ideas. Maybe even put the lists on post-it notes and put them where you’ll see them every day.
take the best leave the rest
No matter what, embrace this new year as an opportunity. But, don’t just limit it to January 1st. Every day is a new day. Each day God’s mercies are new. Matthew West has a great song called “Day One” that is such an encouragement. Everytime I listen to it I feel like I can take on the world! If you haven’t heard it, make sure to give it a listen!
If you are still on this side of heaven you have another opportunity to live the life you were created for. Don’t waste a second!
“that you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.”
Ephesians 4:22-24